Beyer-Garratt by Jeremy Clements

Adoption by Beyer Peacock & Co Ltd, the highly regarded locomotive builder of Gorton Foundry, led to the type’s 1909 inauguration in Tasmania. By WWI, 31 examples had been delivered or were under construction. This diverse group embraced 7 wheel arrangements and 5 gauges from 2’ 0” to 5’ 3”, with designs ranging from miniscule tramway engines to 8-cylinder high speed double-Atlantics. The 1920s saw progressive size increases culminating in eight-coupled giants that handled vast tonnages on five continents. With expiry of the original patent and product re-styling as the ‘Beyer-Garratt’, Gorton Foundry fought off challenges and a pivotal role during WWII. Although production had ceased by the late 1950s, Beyer-Garratts continued to render sterling service in numerous countries. A century after introduction, there were still isolated examples at work in normal service. This is a story of courage, creativity, superb engineering, and adventure in the cause of mankind’s most romantic form of transport.